The South and the Amazigh Culture

This 12 days expedition will enable you to learn about the Amazigh culture and enjoy the diversity of the dramatic landscape that southern Morocco has to offer.

This will take you to the heart of the country - to meet people with rich hearts and warm hospitality. You will enjoy travelling through vast, arid landscapes - with dry, fine air. Sleep under an unspoilt sky, revealing millions of stars. This expedition starts and ends in Marrakech or Casablanca, and it is possible to extend it to 14 days. Welcome to enjoy Morocco as we enjoy it, Mrahba.

Day 1: Arrive at Marrakech

Upon arrival, we will pick you up and drive you to your riad in the Medina,where you can check in and relax . After dinner, you will have the option to walk around the Jemaa El Fna Square, entertained by magicians; storytellers; musicians and many more ... Overnight accommodation at Ksar Anika, Princess du desert or similar. Bed and Breakfast. (BB).

Day 2: Exploring Marrakech

After breakfast in the riad , you can start exploring Marrakech "the Red City of Morocco”. Your guide will ensure that you see the most important places of historical and cultural interest, including the famous Jemaa El Fna Square , the Saadian tombs; the Palaces of Bahia, and the Ben Youssef Coranic school. Lunch near the square, at a restaurant of your choice, then in the afternoon visit the gardens at Majorelle, see the Koutoubia tower and have a short tour in the new town of Marrakech. Overnight accommodation will be in your riad as above. (BB)

Day 3: Day trip to Ourika Valley and the Berber trail

Meet you at your riad/hotel in Marrakech and start travelling to Ourika Valley via the villages of Asni and Tahnaout. This tour will take you through the three valleys including Tahnaout valley, the Mulay Brahim Gorge and the Berber village of Asni, you will also have the opportunity to visit a Berber family and experience our culture. During, your journey, you will experience the breathtaking scenery and the fascinating views of the Toubkal and Oukaimden Mountains -the highest peaks in North Africa.
By lunchtime you will get to Ourika Valley - one of the richest valleys in Morocco with flowing water, luxuriant trees, magnificent flowers, blooming bushes, and delightful waterfalls. After lunch here, you have the option to take a 2 hour hike. Walking through the Berber village of Setti Fatma, and within the fields where you may well see the monkeys in the wild, and experience great views of the waterfall.
Afterwards, we will head back to Marrakech. Overnight at your riad as above. (BB).

Day 4: Marrakech - Ijoukak - Tizi n’Test Pass - Taroudant

After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to Taroudant via the Tizi n’Test Pass over the High Atlas Mountains. Today, you will be experiencing amazing landscape through the second highest pass in Morocco, the home of many Berber tribes. Your first main stop will be at the Tin-Mal Mosque, a 12th century historical site. Now a UNESCO heritage site, Tin Mal area was the base of the Almohad dynasty before they succeeded the Almoravid empire. Your journey continues over the High Atlas Mountains and then through the Argan fields before you get to Taroudant. Overnight at riad hotel Zitoun or similar. Half-board. (HB).

Day 5: Exploring Taroudant

After breakfast in your riad, you will start exploring the city of Taroudant “The little Marrakech”. There is no must-see monument here, so the highlights of this town like most of any other place is the social daily life of the people; you will walk the souks , take a tour around the walls and wander the small square of Alaouine, known as “Assarag square”. You will be walking the alleys of the Medina and visit the Berber Jewelry market. Taroudant is the foundation of the Saadian dynasty before they used Marrakech as their capital; this and because the red color of its buildings and narrow streets, it is always referred to as the “Little Marrakech”. In the afternoon, you have the option to take a bike tour around the walls of the city or just walk around and enjoy watching the sunset colors over the walls. Overnight at riad hotel Zitoun. (HB).

Day 6: Taroudant - Argan National Park - Tafraout

After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to Tafraout via the Berber region of Ait Baha. Your journey will take you through the amazing Argan fields where you’ll see herds of goats climbing the Argan trees to look for fresh nuts - a healthy food for them. This road offers great photo opportunities. You will continue over the Anti- Atlas Mountains to Ait Baha and then to Tafraout. Overnight at local hotel Salama or les amendiers. (BB).

Day 7: Exploring Tafraout

After breakfast in your hotel, you will start exploring this attractive village and its wonders. In Morocco, the people and the diverse landscape that make each place a good destination to visit, and Tafraout is a good example of this: an authentic small village with a strong Berber culture. Here you will see people with their traditional dress, either in the souk or in their fields. Situated within the Anti-Atlas Mountains with its red granite rocks, and the green valley of Ameln, the village’s landscape is amazing. You will see the Painted Rocks and enjoy a walk within the valley. In the afternoon you will have some free time to wander around the village on your own. Overnight accommodation at your hotel as above. (BB).

Day 8: Tafraout - Tata

After breakfast in your hotel, you will leave for Tata via the Paradise Valley. You will be crossing the small Anti -Atlas hills, populated by the Ait Abdellah tribe, and then through the valley of Tazgzaout - where you will meet tent-dwelling nomadic people with their animals. This is a very remote area - dry and arid - but the landscape is beautiful. You will get to Tata by the afternoon and check in to your hotel. Afterwards, you will have some free time to walk within the old village and explore the town. Overnight at hotel Dar Infiane or similar. (HB).

Day 9: Tata - Foum Zguid - Chegaga desert

After breakfast in your hotel, you will start travelling to Chegaga Sahara desert. Today you will be travelling through the black moonscape desert; which has attracted many world movie producers to film here. You’ll see camel caravans and nomads along the way. After crossing the dry lake of Irikki, you will get to Chegaga for the sunset. Here you will have the option to take a camel ride into the dunes to watch the sunset before you have dinner in your desert camp. Overnight at desert camp. (HB).

Day 10: Chegaga - Mhamid - Tamegrout - Zagora

Early in the morning, your guide will wake you up to watch the sunrise over the dunes before you continue your journey east. After breakfast in your camp, you will start travelling to Zagora via the old village Tamegrout; walk within the village and then visit the Islamic library, the oldest in the area, which served as a school and the source of Islamic education for many decades. Your visit continues to the hand-made pottery works where you will see men using traditional methods. After lunch, you will continue your journey to Zagora. Overnight at riad Lamane. (HB).

Day 11: Zagora - Draa Valley – Ouarzazat – Marrakech

After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to Marrakech via the Draa valley and then through the High Atlas Mountains. Today, your journey will take you through the fascinating Draa valley to Agdez and then through the Ait Saouen pass to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco. Here you will have the opportunity to visit this old mud site, a UNESCO heritage site now. The Kasbah was built by T-Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains who dominated the whole region. He used the Kasbah as a stop during his long trading caravans from sub-Saharan countries to Marrakech. Your journey continues to Marrakech via the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2260 m), arriving at Marrakech towards the end of the day. Overnight at Riad Ksar Anika or similar. (BB).

Day 12: Departure

After breakfast in your riad, we will drive you to the airport for your departure flight.
The tour ends at the airport.